When money is tight, it sometimes means making hard choices. Often, if that choice is between a visit to the dentist or food on the table, the dentist doesn’t have much of a chance. Even so, I don’t think many people would argue against the fact that oral health is a crucial part of overall health. That’s why the federal government created the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
The great news is that the CDCP is expanding, opening the door to more eligible adults seeking affordable oral health care. If you’ve been putting off dental visits due to cost or lack of insurance, this program could be the solution you’ve been waiting for. This program can help save not only on immediate dentistry costs, but taking care of your oral health can save you a lot on your overall lifetime healthcare costs.
Launched to make essential dental services accessible and affordable, this expanded dental care plan aims to provide coverage for Canadian residents who do not have access to dental benefits and have an adjusted family net income under $90,000. It’s important to understand from the outset that this is a government dental benefit, not a free dental program. While it covers a significant portion of costs, you may still have out-of-pocket expenses.
Are you eligible? Understanding the criteria
To qualify for the CDCP, you must meet four key requirements:
- You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- You must not have access to a dental care plan. This is a crucial point; having access through an employer, a family member’s employer, a professional or student organization, or a pension plan (unless you opted out before December 11, 2023, and cannot opt back in) generally disqualifies you. This holds true even if you choose not to use or take the coverage. Access to Health Spending Accounts (HSAs) can also be a disqualifier.
- Your adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000. Your adjusted family net income is calculated based on line 23600 of your (and your spouse/common-law partner’s, if applicable) tax return, with adjustments for certain benefits.
- You must have filed your tax return for the previous year in Canada. For those applying for or renewing for the 2025-2026 coverage period, filing your 2024 tax return and receiving your Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is required.
Notably, if you already have dental coverage through a provincial, territorial, or federal government social program (like Healthy Smiles Ontario or the Ontario Disability Support Program), you may still qualify for the CDCP if you meet all other eligibility criteria. The CDCP is designed to work alongside these programs, coordinating benefits so your coverage isn’t duplicated.
The rollout: Who can apply when
The CDCP application process has been rolling out in phases based on age. The major expansion that started in May 2025 is opening applications to all remaining eligible Canadian residents aged 18 to 64.
Application opening dates for the newly eligible age groups were:
- May 1, 2025: Adults aged 55 to 64
- May 15, 2025: Adults aged 18 to 34
- May 29, 2025: Adults aged 35 to 54
Certain groups were already able to apply before May 2025, including seniors aged 65 and older, adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, and children under the age of 18. Once approved, benefits can begin as early as June 1, 2025. Coverage start dates are based on when your application is received and when you are enrolled.
What does the CDCP cover?
The CDCP helps cover a range of essential oral health care services that keep your teeth and gums healthy and treat problems. Examples of services that could be covered, when recommended by an oral health provider, include:
- Preventive services like scaling (cleaning), polishing, sealants, and fluoride.
- Diagnostic services, including examinations and X-rays.
- Restorative services such as fillings and root canal treatments.
- Prosthodontic services, including complete and partial removable dentures.
- Oral surgery services, including extractions.
- Periodontal services, such as deep scaling.
- Anesthesia or sedation services.
Some services require preauthorization from the CDCP before the treatment can begin. Orthodontic services are expected to be added later in 2025. For comprehensive details on all covered services, you can consult the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide.
Understanding the costs: Co-payments and fees
While the CDCP provides coverage, it does not always cover 100% of the cost. The amount covered depends on your adjusted family net income and is based on the CDCP’s established fees. You may be responsible for a co-payment, which is a portion of the service cost.
The co-payment structure is based on your adjusted annual family net income:
- Income under $70,000: CDCP covers 100% of eligible costs at established fees.
- Income between $70,000 and $79,999: CDCP covers 60% of eligible costs at established fees.
- Income between $80,000 and $89,999: CDCP covers 40% of eligible costs at established fees.
It’s important to note that dentists have the choice to bill their usual and standard fees, which may be higher than the CDCP established fees. If the dentist’s fee is higher than the CDCP-covered amount, you will have to pay the difference directly to your provider, regardless of your income level. It’s best to discuss the potential costs with your dentist before accepting and receiving treatment.
Applying for the CDCP
The CDCP is managed by Health Canada and administered by Sun Life. You can apply online, over the phone, or in person at a Service Canada Centre. Applying online is generally the fastest method.
When applying, you’ll typically need to provide your:
- Full name
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Date of birth
- Address(es)
- Information from your 2024 Notice of Assessment (NOA).
Even if you haven’t received an invitation letter from the government, you can still apply once applications open for your age group, provided you meet the eligibility criteria and have filed your 2024 taxes. Assistance with applying is available by calling the CDCP helpline.
Once your application is approved and you qualify, your information will be shared with Sun Life, who will enroll you and send a welcome package. This package will include your member card, details about co-payments, and your specific coverage start date. You don’t necessarily need the physical card to use your benefits; the approval letter with your ID and start date should suffice.
Using your coverage and renewal
Oral health providers participating in the CDCP are required to submit claims directly to Sun Life for reimbursement. You cannot be reimbursed directly by the CDCP. Therefore, you should never pay the full cost upfront for services covered by the plan.
It’s important to find a dentist who participates in the CDCP, as participation is voluntary. Check with your current dentist to see if they’ve decided to participate in the program. If they’ve decided not to, you can search on Sun Life’s website to find a participating provider. CDCP coverage does not apply to treatments done by providers not participating in the program.
If you are already enrolled in the CDCP, you must renew your coverage annually to ensure you continue to meet all eligibility requirements and to maintain benefits. The deadline for renewal applications to ensure uninterrupted coverage is June 1, 2025. Failing to renew by this date, or if you are found no longer eligible, will result in your coverage ending on June 30, 2025. To renew, you will need to have filed your 2024 tax return and received your NOA.
Wrap-Up
The expansion of the Canadian Dental Care Plan is a significant step towards improving access to dental care for millions of Canadians. It’s a great step towards helping those with less means stay healthy and save money.
Did you take on debt to pay for an important dental procedure, and are now struggling to pay it off? We may be able to help! Contact us for a free consultation with one of our trained Credit Counsellors. They go over what options there are to get your debt back under control.
